the pit room expands

Guy Fieri-approved Montrose barbecue joint fires up hot new Memorial location

The Pit Room uses offset smokers.

Photo by Jenn Duncan

A popular Montrose barbecue joint is heading west. The Pit Room will open a second location in the Memorial City area in the third quarter of 2023.

Located in MetroNational's Benignus Plaza, the new restaurant will occupy approximately 6,200-square-feet just west of the Gateway Memorial City development (10301-A Katy Freeway). Considerably larger than the Montrose original, the new restaurant will combine both the Pit Room and its adjacent bar the Patio at the Pit Room into one space. The new restaurant will feature seating for 100 inside, 25 at an indoor-outdoor bar, and 80 on a covered, 2,600-square-foot patio. A dedicated to-go counter will allow customers to purchase barbecue, sausages, sauces, and more.

“We are excited to grow the Pit Room concept and serve a new area of Houston,” owner Michael Sambrooks said in a statement. “The Pit Room is our original concept, really our baby, and we look forward to serving the residents in Memorial and on the West Side.”

Opened in 2016, the Pit Room serves Central Texas-style barbecue prepared in offset barrel smokers. It has drawn a devoted following, including an appearance on a 2021 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

In addition to the usual meats such as brisket, pork ribs, and three kinds of housemade sausage, the restaurant has built a devoted following for its Mexican and Tex-Mex-influenced sides such as chips and queso, elotes, and charro beans. Three kinds of tacos, served on housemade tortillas made with brisket fat, are always popular with regulars. Texas Monthly taco editor José Ralat hails the smoked chicken taco with garlic cloves as "the magic order" at the Pit Room.

The new location will bring the Pit Room's full menu to Memorial. A larger kitchen will allow it to serve a bar menu for game watchers, a "specialty grill menu," and more desserts.

“We are pleased to announce the arrival of the Pit Room’s legendary Central-Texas barbecue to Memorial City,” MetroNational vice president of retail leasing Danna Diamond said. “This hometown favorite reinforces our commitment to provide special dining experiences for our community.”

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build your own

Ohio-based Mediterranean restaurant now baking fresh pita in Memorial

Courtesy of Brassica

An Ohio-based Mediterranean restaurant has arrived in Houston. Brassica Sandwiches + Salads has quietly opened in the Briargrove/Memorial area (1413 S Voss Rd.) and will celebrate its grand opening next Tuesday, March 31.

Courtesy of Brassica

Build your own pita at Brassica.

Founded by brothers Kevin and Darren Malhame, Brassica is named for the family of vegetables that include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and more. The menu features build-your-own Mediterranean-inspired pitas, salads, or hummus bowls.

Proteins include falafel, braised chicken shawarma, and brisket. Diners can add toppings such as pickled cabbage, pickled beets, cucumbers and radishes, roasted carrots, cauliflower, feta, and more. Notably, the restaurant bakes pita throughout the day.

While the food is casual and affordable, Brassica has invested into details that will make diners choose to dine-in rather than order to-go — and order a drink from its beer and wine list. They include custom walnut trays, leather booths, and solid marble tabletops.

“Opening our first restaurant outside of Ohio is a huge milestone for us,” founder and CEO Kevin Malhame said in a statement. “We’ve been working towards opening out of state for some time now, and are thrilled to be in Houston.”

The restaurant has earned considerable acclaim, including being named a “Hot Concept” by Nation’s Restaurant News. It also earned an investment from Chipotle’s Cultivate Next fund in 2024.

“Growth for us will always be deliberate,” Malhame added. “We believe restaurants should last. That means investing in our food, our people, and our spaces — never cutting corners to expand faster.”

Brassica is open daily from 11 am-10 pm.

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